Car seal



. June 13, 1933. Q MOORE 1,913,814

CAR SEAL Filed March 16, 1931 9^ Patent-ed ,lune 13, 1933 NTEDY STATES LOU Q. MOORE, F PUEBLO, COLORADO i can SEAL Application filed March 16, 1931. Serial No. 523,075.

This invention relates to seals employed for use in sealing car doors, shipping crates, or the like, the primary object of the invention being to provide a seal wherein it is absolutely necessary to mutilate or break the seal in such a way as to render the same inoperative, in order to open the seal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a seal including a body portion in the form of a split band constructed of flat spring steel material, the free end of the band being secured in a lock carried by the opposite end of the body portion, in such a way that the ends of the split band will be held against movement in either direction.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is an elevational view of the seal.

Figure 2 is a fragmental view of the seal before the ends are brought together.

Figure 3 is a view showing the interlocking ends positioned for securing.

Figure 4 is a view showing the ends interlocked.

Figure 5 illustrates the blank of which the seal is formed.

Figure 6 is a view on line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view of one end of the seal.

Figure 8 is a view on line 8 -8 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawingin detail, the

seal includes a body portion indicated by the reference character 5, the same being constructed of flat spring material split to provide an open ended band. The body portion, while it is constructed of flat spring steel material, is formed with a twisted portion 6, the edges thereof extending at right angles with respect to the inner and outer edges of the body portion proper, thereby lending resiliency tothe body portion so that the ends may be spread apart, or moved towards each other.

As clearly shown by the drawing, the inner and outer edges of the body portion, near the ends thereof, are substantially straight and parallel, providing locking ends 7 and 8 55 respectively, and for the sake of clearness, the end 8 will be referred to in the specification as the free end of the seal. The end 7 of the seal is provided with an integral portion 9 which is formed during the construction of the band, the portion 9 being designed to be bent over the end 7 in spaced relation therewith and in such a manner as to provide an open ended lock, to receive the free end 8 of the seal.

Extensions 9 are formed on the portion 9, which extensions are spot welded to the body portion, securing the portion 9 to the body of the seal. v

A tongue l0 is formed in the end 7 of the band, and is constructed in such a way that it will extend inwardly, within the lock 9, to be engaged by the tongue 11 formed on the inner edge of the free end 8 of the band. Since theV body portion 5 is constructed of 75 spring steel material, it is obvious that when the free end 8 of the body portion 5 is inserted in the lock, the tongue l0 will be slightly depressed, allowing the tongue l1 to snap into position behind the tongue 10.

It might be further stated that this tongue 11 extends laterally, or in a direction opposite to the tongue 10, so that the tongues 10 and 11 will interlock, to lock the ends of the band together in such a way that they may only be released by cutting or breaking the lock 9.

As clearly shown by the drawing, a shoulder 12 is formed in spaced relation with the extremity of the free end 8, and is adapted to engage one edge of the look 9, When the free end 8 is positioned Within the lock, to prevent the free end 8 from being forced inwardly to a position to disengage the tongue 10.

F rom the foregoing it Will be obvious that due to this construction, a seal is provided Which is exceptionally strong and durable, and one which when moved to its locked position, will be locked in such a Way that the seal must be broken or mutilated, rendering the same inoperative, to the end that any attempt to tamper with the seal by unauthorized persons, will be readily discerned.

l Claim In a ear seal, a body portion in the form of a split band, the outer and inner edges of the band being straight near the ends of the body portion, a housing at one end of the body portion and comprising a length of sheet metal formed integral With the body portion and adapted to be bent around the straight edges of the band, a curved extension forming a part of the housing, the Curved eX- tension overlying a portion of the curved body portion guarding the housing, and interlocking tongues at the ends of the split band for securing the ends of the band together.

ln testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, l have hereto aiixed my signature.

LOU Q. MOORE. 

